June 19, 2004

Bat House Plan – Attract Fascinating Bats To Your Backyard

 A bat house plan is easy to obtain by simply doing a search on the Internet. There are many plans available depending on the style of house you choose to build. All plans however, have some common elements that are important for the success of your house. This article will describe to you the key details of any bat house plan and will hopefully make your task of building a bat house a little easier!

Your bat house plan should include specifications for a house that is at least 2 feet tall. The house should have chambers of at least 20 inches tall and 14 inches wide, as well as have a landing area that extends below the entrance at least 3 to 6 inches.

The bat house plan should also include room for 1 to 4 roosting chambers (the more of these chambers the better) and the roost partitions should be placed 3/4 to 1 inch apart. All landing areas and partitions should be roughened. This can be done by scratching the wood or grooving it horizontally (at approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch intervals) or by covering it with durable plastic mesh. All bat house plans should also include specifications for ventilation.

A bat house plan will also detail the materials needed for construction. Wooden houses are best when they are made of exterior plywood or cedar. Bat house exteriors should always be at least ½-inch thick and have a minimum of four plies. No matter what plan you use, be sure not to use pressure-treated wood. Your plan will call for the use of screws and staples, but always be sure to use exterior grade hardware. Additionally, you should caulk all seams, in particular around the roof so that no moisture or residue can penetrate the house.

Any bat house plan will also discuss treatment of the wood. In general, you should apply 3 coats of exterior grade, water-based paint. The color of the paint or stain will vary however, depending on the area in which you live. The general rule is that in areas where the average high in July is less than 85º F, bat houses should be black or dark brown.

Medium colors should be used in areas where temperatures range from 85 to 95° F and white or light colors should be used in regions where temperatures soar above 100º F. A bat house plan will also instruct you to paint the interior of your house and this should be done with 2 coats of dark exterior grade paint or stain. Please note that interior painting should be done after you have scratched, grooved, or applied plastic mesh to the wood.

A bat house plan should be simple and easy to follow. As mentioned previously, plans are easy to come by and though some will be more elaborate than others, they all have basic features that should be consistent. Free bat house designs make it easy for you to build and create your own bat house so that you can begin helping these interesting animals right in your own backyard!

About The Author:
Erin McMillan is a talented and successful freelance writer. Her various writings provide relevant information and wonderfully researched resources for gardeners and garden enthusiasts wanting to learn more about gardening and gardening products. Erin loves sharing knowledge and education through her numerous writings and educational articles.

By: Erin McMillan
http//www.a1-best-garden-supplies.com